The Washington critic., 1887-09-03

waste at the mill to any one who will
tlke IT,"
The motion was carried unanimously.
George Harris and Fred Grant being
detailed for cart duty" as VIII llar
is said
The wood was all piled into the shed,
and the boys were growing impatient,
when their companions returned with
their load.
Now, hurry and take the team
home" said VIII, "for II Is almost sun
set. ~
The additional fuel filled up nearly
all the spare space in the little shed,
and the boys set out for home In good
spirits, well satisfied with their days
work.
There's father bringing home Mrs.
Davis. mother never lets her walk, "
said Tom, us they heard the rumble NJ
approaching wheels; aud few min
utrs later they bowed To the widow ~
she passed, for they all respected the
lonely woman, who, having no clain
upon any one, was yet a friend aud
helper 10 all.
why" she exclaimed, as Mr. Stin
sou set her down at her door, "wherr
Is my wood ? Some one has been here,
and fastening to the wOOdshcl. she
threw open the door, and stood for a
moment as though parayzed. Then,
at Is all there, she cried. Look, Mr.
Stinson, sawed aud split, and kindling
from the mill, too. Who could have
done 1t 7"
Then she added, II kuow-lt was the
boys. That Is what they had been
doing with the saws and axes. How
| good they are. Bless their dear, kind
hearts" and, sitting down on the low
| doorstep, she bowed her face In her
hands. while her frame shook with sDb-
| of grateful emotion.
"llumph, crying" i" said Tom Siinson.
when his father, Uvcrtaking them,
| told them what had passed ut the cot
tage.
| Now, boys, we have made the
widow cry; let's see If we can't make
| her laugh. Let's get our mother tp
pack basket for u, 20 take to her the
night before eThanksgivina.'
The suggestion met with general
favor among the boys, and the mothers
were quite willing to fill tue proposed
basket; for to all OF them Mrs, Davis
had been u kind aud helpful presence
in sickness or sorrow. and la more than
one home were dear ones who owed
| life to her tender aud patient care,
which had won them back TO health
from what had seemed the shadow Of
death.
And Tom Stinson remembered-ah
could he ever forget ?-the long nights
she had watched with him. when two
years before he had been stricken down
with diphiheria; and the low aud fer
vent prayer, breathed In his room
when she thought he was sleeping
prayer that his life might be spared,
and that he might become good aud
useful man. How surely the Influence
OF that petition was leading him up Il
such HE, was known only to hin
who hears and answers prayer.
Two days later, just as the twilight
was deepening into shadow, the boy
again made their way to the widow
cottage, this time bearing by turns ,
large and well filled basket.
Good evening, Mrs. Davis" salt
Tom. removing his hat, as she opened
the door. 1--WE have called to apollo
pizc for the liberty we took with you
wood last Monday, and to ask you t,
accept the contents OF this basket whicl
our mothers have sent"
"Apologize !" exclaimed the sur
prised woman. Liberty, indeed
Why. you dear, good boys, how can
thank you for your kinduessl and nov
for this basket Tears choked he
u,lerance, and the boys turned hastil.
away.
Its no use," said Tom, in q shak
voice, as she shut the door. We Cin'
make her laugh she will cry, do VIVA
we may. Come, les go round by IN
cove, and see what the skating Is gOin
10 be for tomorrow. ~ BOstO
Traveller.